High school teams off to good starts

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So any high school teams do anything while the World Cup was in town?

OK, let's get to work.

• Eagle Valley boys basketball swept through the Roaring Fork tournament, pounding Basalt and the host Rams. There are going to be a bunch in the Slope who think the Devils will be a bit down without Jeremy Sabo, Cooper Senn and Tim Wells. I am not one of those people. This is a reloading year, not a rebuilding one.

Juan Baca's back and he's a two-year starter at the point, which is always good. Sam Lounsberry's back. (Hard to believe he's a senior - hey guys, this is my first class of Eagle Valley that I've seen all the way through.) Lounsberry has a sweet shot and driving to the hole will only make him more dangerous.

Ayren Hart is just a beast waiting to be unleashed. Ryan Werner and Sam Boyd have size and are ready to step into prominent roles. Anyone know if the new kid, Travis Edgar, can play? (The guy's been itching for basketball since he got here.)

This weekend's Glenwood tourney should provide a better view with Aspen, Faith Christian and the Demons. Let's see how these guys do against Faith and Glenwood - and the Devils play the Demons twice on the road in six days. (I'm still getting used to league play starting early.)

• Eagle Valley's girls got on the board with a 51-35 win against Basalt. Mariel Gutierrez had 15 points.

• OK, both Eagle Valley basketball coaches Jim Bair and Sam Bartlett are both alums and I remember them playing. Wow.

• Huskies boys basketball is 4-0. OK, it's been a light schedule, but that's OK. Battle Mountain needs to gain some confidence and, so far, so good. Really good sign? The Huskies haven gotten double-digits in points from both Jimmy O'Rourke and Jack Kamby in games. (It's also nice to see O'Rourke playing. I think I talked to him more than coach David Cope during soccer season.)

• Do Joe LyBarger and company have a bit of a streak going?

• Both Battle Mountain teams knocked off Summit last week in the earliest league games ever. Usually we're barely playing basketball on Nov. 28, much less a Slope game. We're getting around to saying "Huzzah" to the girls team for getting in the win column early.

• OK, we had had the Soccer Bowl last weekend. I'm sorry I missed that. Let it be noted for history the Huskies beat Vail Christian, 47-43, after a lot involved all played on the same team, aka Battle Mountain soccer, aka your 2012 4A state champions. Don't give Gunnar Wilson and Nigel Johnsen too hard of a time. Remember, those two can give as good as they get.

• The faces have changed, but the principle remains for Vail Christian girls basketball - play defense. Doug Bruce's Saints have allowed 19 and 25 points in their first two games, and, not surprisingly are 2-0. You win games holding the opposition to an average of 22 points per game.

• And, yes, this was simple analysis. So is the following. Vail Christian ladies, find a way to score points. Vail Christian gents, find a way to stop the other team and rebound. Opposites do truly attract in Edwards.

• Hey, someone's playing hockey. (Side note: The NHL really might as well be a circular firing squad. Only the NHL could foul up such a great game.) Bravo to the Huskies for taking out Summit County, 7-2, last weekend. We're in the unusual stage, for Battle Mountain hockey, of rebuilding. Battle Mountain (really, it's Team United Nations) will be better in 2012-13. Speaking of Team United Nations, Cole Caynoski (Vail Christian) and Cody Thurston (Eagle Valley) on skates? So much for Battle Mountain hockey being "little."

• To wrestling, Eagle Valley's Andy Armstrong (heavyweight) and Ty LaFramboise (220 pounds) won at Middle Park. Armstrong was fifth at state last year. La Framboise finished third for 2A Norwood at 220 last winter, so it looks like there's a nice crew there. Rafael Gurule, Joel Gordea and Andrew Vigil all went 4-1. Sophomore Gordea hadn't wrestled since sixth grade.